Cable flag



July 10, 1956 v w, T|NsLEY 2,753,832

' CABLE FLAG Filed March 29, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

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W. B. TINSLEY July 10, 1956 CABLE FLAG 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 29, 1955 W/LL/AM B. 77NSLEY INVEN TOR. BY 0 m ATTORNEY United States Patent CABLE FLAG William B. Tinsley, Houston, Tex.

Application March 29, 1955, Serial No. 497,671

2 Claims. (Cl. 116-114) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a cable flag.

It is an object of this invention to provide a cable flag for use on cables in Well drilling wherein a flag is formed for warning the operator of the approach of the end of the cable, and is mounted in the cable, and will be discernable even after immersion in the contents of a well being drilled or worked.

It is another object of the invention to provide a cable flag composed of hair or the like that will be bound in a novel manner permitting ready insertion between the strands of a cable and formed to extend outwardly from the cable in double thickness.

With the above and other objects in View, the invention has relation to certain novel features of construction, and arrangement of parts more particularly defined in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the device.

Figure 2 is a vertical elevation, showing the device attached to a cable, and

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of a derrick and cable, illustrating the use of the cable flag.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a cable, such as the six strand wire cable commonly used in the oil field industry, and particularly in operating cable tools in oil wells. A quantity of hair, or other suitable substance, 2 is arranged in parallel relation, forming a row of hair of the desired length, and the strands of hair 2 are bound by a binder, such as a strip of adhesive tape, or the like, 3, on each side of the row of hair. This will sandwich the hair be- 2,753,832 Ratented July 10, 1956 "ice tween the strips of adhesive, forming a longitudinal flag.

In use, the cable strands are spread, and the flag mounted between the strands, by inserting the ends of the hair, from one side of the flag, between the strands, following one particular strand to be embraced by the hair 2. The cable is then returned to its original shape, and position of the strand of wire about which the flag is mounted, will force the ends of the flag outwardly and will maintain them at an abrupt angle.

Horse hair appears to be the most desirable substance to form the strands 2, however, it is contemplated that such substances as plastics, or their many derivatives may be substituted for the hair.

While the foregoing is a preferred form of the invention, it is by way of illustration only, the broad principle of the invention being defined by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A hoisting cable adapted to carry a substantial load and having at one end thereof an indicating device to indicate the position of said load comprising a plurality of strands of hair like substance, said strands being of equal length, and arranged in parallel relation forming a flat strip, a strip of adhesive tape applied to each side of said hair like substance at approximately midway the respective ends thereof, binding said hair like substance to form a longitudinal signal flag.

2. A hoisting cable adapted to carry a substantial load and having at one end thereof an indicating device to indicate the position of said load, said indicating device comprising a plurality of strands of hair like substance, said strands being of equal length and arranged in parallel relation forming a fiat strip, a strip of adhesive tape applied to each side of said hair like substance and approximately midway the respective ends thereof binding said hair like substance to form a longitudinal signal flag, said flag being mounted between the strands of said cable so that the end portions of said hair like substance extends radially and outwardly of said cable.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,773,580 Franke Aug. 19, 1930 1,829,446 Hinlein Oct. 27, 1931 2,416,758 Knowles Mar. 4, 1947 2,430,748 Unger Nov. 11, 1947 

